Rai
A brilliantly told, dark, feminist, folkish, fantasy tale. In times of strife the forest spirits can be called upon to protect those living around it; and this is the hope Saorlaith clings to as she summons the forest maiden Bailuchien to save herself and her younger sister from the famine that has ravaged their village. In exchange, the sisters commit themselves to a path of protecting the weak and visiting revenge on the abusers. Deliciously bloody and evocative for such a compact story.
A brilliantly told, dark, feminist, folkish, fantasy tale. In times of strife the forest spirits can be called upon to protect those living around it; and this is the hope Saorlaith clings to as she summons the forest maiden Bailuchien to save herself and her younger sister from the famine that has ravaged their village. In exchange, the sisters commit themselves to a path of protecting the weak and visiting revenge on the abusers. Deliciously bloody and evocative for such a compact story.
The Path of Pain and Ruin
Added to listOwnedwith 96 books.
The Path of Pain and Ruin
A neat little introduction to a protagonist I'd like to know more about. In a bleak world, with a violent history. Interesting exploration of the idea destiny, belief and faith. I'm curious to know what happened next to The Last General, our Lady of Flames.
A neat little introduction to a protagonist I'd like to know more about. In a bleak world, with a violent history. Interesting exploration of the idea destiny, belief and faith. I'm curious to know what happened next to The Last General, our Lady of Flames.
This is the first of Hayes' books I've read, which I decided I really should get around to considering how many of them I own based on reputation alone. I did find myself wondering, around the 20% mark, just how much of the book was going to be set in The Pit and when "the real story" was going to start. I'd gotten the wrong impression from the blurb it seems as the whole book is in The Pit and that is the real story.
As the first in The War Eternal series and Eska is our narrator and speaks as though recounting her memories from a distant future, dropping little teasers about her life after The Pit, and this is her telling the story of her time in The Pit and her escape. Interspersed between the dank environs of The Pit - a never-ending mind where prisoners are sent to simply dig their lives away in the dark - are snapshots of Eska's childhood, growing up within the Orran Academy of Magic.
Given she's only just reached 16 years old by the end of the book, it is fair to say the entirety of Eska's childhood has been filled with pain and torture; save for the brief 6 years she spent in her quaint home village climbing trees. Tortured by those training her to be a magical weapon at the academy, only to be captured and thrown into The Pit for even more torture.
A stubborn character, self-describing as a 'bitch', Eska is not a loveable protagonist. She's angry and determined. She wants her revenge and will stop at nothing to achieve it.
At times brutal and bloody, Along the Razor's Edge feels like an origin story. Whether it is for a hero or a villain, only time will tell.
This is the first of Hayes' books I've read, which I decided I really should get around to considering how many of them I own based on reputation alone. I did find myself wondering, around the 20% mark, just how much of the book was going to be set in The Pit and when "the real story" was going to start. I'd gotten the wrong impression from the blurb it seems as the whole book is in The Pit and that is the real story.
As the first in The War Eternal series and Eska is our narrator and speaks as though recounting her memories from a distant future, dropping little teasers about her life after The Pit, and this is her telling the story of her time in The Pit and her escape. Interspersed between the dank environs of The Pit - a never-ending mind where prisoners are sent to simply dig their lives away in the dark - are snapshots of Eska's childhood, growing up within the Orran Academy of Magic.
Given she's only just reached 16 years old by the end of the book, it is fair to say the entirety of Eska's childhood has been filled with pain and torture; save for the brief 6 years she spent in her quaint home village climbing trees. Tortured by those training her to be a magical weapon at the academy, only to be captured and thrown into The Pit for even more torture.
A stubborn character, self-describing as a 'bitch', Eska is not a loveable protagonist. She's angry and determined. She wants her revenge and will stop at nothing to achieve it.
At times brutal and bloody, Along the Razor's Edge feels like an origin story. Whether it is for a hero or a villain, only time will tell.
Answered a promptWhat are your favorite dark fantasy books?
Answered a promptWhat are some books that messed with your mind?
